Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - January 11, 2024
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Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - January 11, 2024
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included a public hearing and a workshop session. The commission approved routine items, heard testimony on roof replacements, and conducted workshops on two major demolition and new construction proposals for South Market Street, as well as door and window alterations at other properties.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the December 14, 2023 hearing and workshop.
- Administrative Approval Report: Staff reported 20 projects approved administratively between December 1–31, 2023. The commission unanimously approved the report.
Discussion Items
- HPC23-1360DR – Demolition Review, 333 E. Patrick Street: Staff found the circa-1900 twin dwelling to be a contributing resource to the National Register district but not individually eligible for a historic preservation overlay. The commission voted unanimously to not initiate a designation application.
- HPC23-1386DR – Demolition Review, 300 Manor Court: Staff found the circa-1960 dwelling typical and not individually eligible. The commission voted unanimously to not initiate a designation application.
- HPC23-1332 – 17 E. 5th Street (Roof Replacement): The applicant proposed a 5V crimp galvanized metal roof on the rear slope. Staff supported as an in-kind replacement not visible from the street. The commission unanimously approved.
- HPC23-1376 & HPC23-1377 – 114 and 116 E. Church Street (Roof Replacement): The applicant proposed an EcoStar synthetic slate roof for the mansard roofs of two attached buildings. Staff supported due to the difficulty of repairing the existing slate, the matching of patterns, and that both buildings would receive the same treatment. After discussion, the commission approved 4–1 for both applications (Commissioner Hart opposed).
- Workshop: 69 S. Market Street – Partial Demolition (HPC23-1260): Staff presented that the 1928 building is a contributing resource. The applicant proposed demolishing about 42% of the south and west elevations to integrate with a new apartment building. Commissioners expressed concern that the demolition would be too extensive and alter the character-defining form. No vote was taken; the workshop will continue.
- Workshop: 77 S. Market Street – Full Demolition (HPC23-1262): Staff found the building non-contributing due to extensive alterations. Some commissioners questioned whether it could still be contributing. No determination was made; discussion continued.
- Workshop: 69–77 S. Market Street – Level 1 New Construction (HPC23-1261/1263): A five-story apartment building with 53 units and 24 on-site parking spaces was presented. Staff and commissioners raised concerns about height, massing, lack of rear setback, and impact on adjacent residential properties on Court and All Saints streets. The design includes a brick lower three stories matching 69 S. Market’s height, with stepped-back upper floors. Additional renderings and studies were requested. No vote.
- Workshop: 401 Linden Avenue – Door Removal (HPC23-1273): The applicant sought to infill a rear door. Staff and commissioners emphasized preserving historic openings, especially given the building’s unique history as a “cure cottage” for tuberculosis. They advised repairing the door or using a historically appropriate replacement rather than infill.
- Workshop: 401 Linden Avenue – Porch Alteration (HPC23-1275): The applicant proposed removing the rooftop railing that is missing and partly deteriorated. Commissioners requested documentation of its condition and expressed openness to non-replacement if the railing is beyond repair.
- Workshop: 435 S. Market Street – Window Replacement (HPC23-1296): The applicant proposed replacing five windows with Fibrex composite windows. Staff and commissioners recommended that historic windows be repaired if possible, and that wood windows are required by guidelines. For the third-floor windows and the dryer vent window, replacement might be considered, but the Fibrex product was not supported for this historic rehabilitation. The applicant was encouraged to consult a restoration specialist.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar and Administrative Approvals: Unanimously approved.
- 333 E. Patrick Street and 300 Manor Court: Unanimous votes to not initiate historic preservation overlay designations.
- 17 E. 5th Street Roof: Unanimously approved.
- 114 and 116 E. Church Street Roofs: Approved 4–1 (Commissioner Hart dissenting).
- Workshop items: No formal votes taken; discussions will continue at future meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Thursday, January 11th, 2024, City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Technical qualifications of the Commission and staff are on file with the City of Frederick and are made a part of each and every case before the Commission. This Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission uses the guidelines adopted by the mayor and board of Alderman and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation published by the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service, and these guidelines are made a part of each and every case. All cases were duly advertised in the Frederick News Post in accordance with Section 301 of the Land Management Code. To begin with introductions, uh to my left, the audience's right is the HPC administrative assistant, Ms. Shannon Piles, Commissioner Blair Wilson, Commissioner Eva Saller, myself, Commissioner Robert Van Rennes, Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, Commissioner Ann Hart, Historic Preservation Planner Christina Martin Koske, Assistant City Attorney Michael Fry, and I respond that supposed yes or right, thank you. If anybody who has business before the commission this evening could rise and be sworn in. Anybody in the audience who has business before the commission this evening, please rise and be sworn in. This could be for workshop or hearing. Thank you. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given and statements made in this hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth? If so, answer I do. I do. Thank you. It is the purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage of the City of Frederick by preserving sites structures or districts that reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological, or architectural history to stabilize and improve property values of such sites, structures, or districts, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy, and to promote the preservation and appreciation of such sites structures and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. In order to be eligible to vote on an application, a commissioner must have made the required site visit and attended any and all meetings at which such an application was discussed. In the event that a commissioner is absent from any such meeting, the commissioner may satisfy the attendance requirement by reviewing the record of that meeting. All right, seeing none, uh moving on, city staff. Any announcements this evening? No announcements. All right. Moving on to approval of minutes. Minutes from the December 14th, 2023 hearing and workshop. Commissioners, any amendments to those meet those minutes, any concerns regarding them. Seeing none, can I get a motion to approve? I move to approve the minutes from December 14, 2023. Thank you. I second. All right. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, please raise your hand. And that passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to HPC Business. Uh administrative approval report. Ms. Martin Koskey. Yes, I would like to enter the entire administrative approval report into the record, and I will note that we have 20 projects that were approved administratively by staff. Thank you. All right, thank you. Commissioners, any questions regarding the report. I move to approve the administrative approval report from December 1st, 2023 through December 31st, 2023. I'll second. All right. Moved and seconded. All in favor. And then passes unanimously.
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